ABSTRACT Leguminous species can improve nutrient cycling and chemical quality of Oxisols, resulting in higher productivity of intercropped crops. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the decomposition rate and nutrient accumulation in legume stubble, as well as its contribution to soil chemical attributes, the growth of baru trees (Dipteryx alata Vogel), and yield of intercropped maize in an agroforestry system. The experiment was developed during the crop years of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, in Goiás State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with five replicates. Leguminous species consisted of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Stylosanthes (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% and Stylosanthes capitata - 80%), and spontaneous vegetation (control treatment). The decomposition rates of legume and spontaneous vegetation residues remained unchanged in the agroforestry system. Sunn hemp, jack bean, and Stylosanthes plants are advantageous options for total accumulation of nutrients. However, sunn hemp grown as straw cover for next crop seasons increases the available phosphorus levels in the soil and productivity of maize cobs. With this coverage, maize productivity values were up to 24% higher than were those with maize growing on spontaneous vegetation, besides having no effect on the growth of baru trees. | RESUMO O uso de espécies leguminosas poderá favorecer a ciclagem de nutrientes e a qualidade química dos latossolos, o que de certa forma promoverá maior desempenho dos cultivos consorciados. Desta forma, objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a taxa de decomposição e o acúmulo de nutrientes em leguminosas, além dos atributos químicos do solo, crescimento de barueiros e produtividade de milho cultivados em rotação no sistema agroflorestal. A pesquisa foi realizada em consórcio com árvores de barueiros (Dipteryx alata Vogel), durante o período das safras 2010-2011 e 2011-2012, no estado de Goiás, Brasil, O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. As leguminosas utilizadas foram: crotalária (Crotalaria juncea); feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformis); feijão guandu (Cajanus cajan); estilosantes campo grande (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% e Stylosanthes capitata - 80%) e vegetação espontânea (tratamento controle). A taxa de decomposição dos resíduos de leguminosas e vegetação espontânea não é afetada no sistema agroflorestal. A crotalária, o feijão de porco e o estilosantes apresentam-se como opções vantajosas para o acúmulo total de nutrientes. Porém, o cultivo de crotalária com manejo de palhada visando rotação para próxima safra aumenta os teores de fósforo disponível no solo e a produtividade de espigas de milho verde com valores até 24% superiores em relação à área mantida sob vegetação espontânea, além de não afetar o crescimento das árvores.

Leguminous species can improve nutrient cycling and chemical quality of Oxisols, resulting in higher productivity of intercropped crops. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the decomposition rate and nutrient accumulation in legume stubble, as well as its contribution to soil chemical attributes, the growth of baru trees (Dipteryx alata Vogel), and yield of intercropped maize in an agroforestry system. The experiment was developed during the crop years of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, in Goiás State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with five replicates. Leguminous species consisted of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Stylosanthes (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% and Stylosanthes capitata - 80%), and spontaneous vegetation (control treatment). The decomposition rates of legume and spontaneous vegetation residues remained unchanged in the agroforestry system. Sunn hemp, jack bean, and Stylosanthes plants are advantageous options for total accumulation of nutrients. However, sunn hemp grown as straw cover for next crop seasons increases the available phosphorus levels in the soil and productivity of maize cobs. With this coverage, maize productivity values were up to 24% higher than were those with maize growing on spontaneous vegetation, besides having no effect on the growth of baru trees.